Manchester United’s main priorities in this summer’s transfer window are no secret these days. It is to complete a thorough review of the club’s midfield department.
Casemiro’s departure from Old Trafford highlights the need for additional ball-winners, with Manuel Ugarte expected to follow in the Brazilian’s footsteps.
Michael Carrick’s side have already made a significant move in this space, after agreeing a £40m deal with Atalanta for Ederson, who is currently playing for Brazil at the World Cup.
INEOS are said to be looking to add at least two players to the core of their squad, but no other transfers have yet been agreed with the players currently on the shortlist.
However, other areas of the squad will also be subject to significant investment, and it is really important that this summer window is the catalyst for next season’s Premier League success.
£60m Premier League star wants move to Manchester United
There is no doubt that United will once again be looking to the Premier League market to sign talent from other teams in the division as part of their recruitment drive this summer.
West Ham United may be suffering from relegation from England’s top flight, but the Red Devils are hoping to take advantage of that and are pursuing a move for winger Crisencio Somerville.
Talks are already underway with the player’s agent over a move to Old Trafford, with a £50m price tag reportedly being discussed.
The Dutch international is not the only UK-based player to have attracted the attention of INEOS, with Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall also currently under consideration.
According to The Sun, the player himself is aware of United’s interest and is very keen to join Carrick’s squad for the 2026-27 season.
The 21-year-old is reportedly disappointed to have missed out on England’s World Cup squad and blames current manager Eddie Howe for this.
However, any deal is likely to be expensive for the Red Devils over this period, as the Magpies are likely to demand at least £60m to offload their talented full-back.
Why Hall is a better deal for United than Fernandes
Somerville is not the only West Ham player United are currently eyeing this summer, with midfielder Matheus Fernandes also a star the Red Devils are keen to sign.
Like the winger, the Portuguese star will also be leaving the London Stadium after being relegated, but the Hammers are determined not to sell the 21-year-old short.
A fee of £85m has been mooted to secure his contract, which is simply an astronomical figure for a player who has only enjoyed successful campaigns in the Premier League.
However, Carrick and INEOS are attempting to negotiate a lower transfer fee this summer in a bid to secure a long-term solution to the current midfield problems at Old Trafford.
Manchester United’s richest contract in history | ||
|---|---|---|
player | commission | signatory |
paul pogba | £89m | juventus |
anthony | £81.3m | ajax |
harry maguire | £80m | leicester city |
Romelu Lukaku | £75m | everton |
Jadon Sancho | £73m | borussia dortmund |
Brian Mbeumo | £71m | brentford |
Benjamin Sesco | £66.4m | RB Leipzig |
There is no doubt that Fernandes attracted attention last term, but such high numbers will no doubt be a cause for concern for supporters who could have access to cheaper, more cost-effective deals.
Hall may be a left-back rather than a central midfielder in a trade, but acquiring his signature could be a better addition, especially given the rumored high price being discussed.
The Newcastle star spent the past three years as a regular starter under Howe on Tyneside and has since developed into one of the best left-backs in the division.
INEOS will also be looking for long-term solutions in these areas this summer, and the transfer of the 21-year-old will allow the club to secure top-level talent both in the short and long term.
During the 2025/26 season, the youngster achieved an impressive success rate of 1.5 successful dribbles per 90, ranking him in the top 5% of defenders in Europe.
While the aforementioned numbers highlight his incredible ability to get the ball into dangerous areas, he also puts the finishing touches on his runs, as evidenced by his 29% cross success rate.
But even without the ball, Hall has been equally impressive as of late, as evidenced by his 5.5 ball recoveries and 2.2 tackles per 90 over the 2025/26 season.
The former of the two statistics ranks him in the top 4% of full-backs in the Premier League, and the youngster is proving to be a sensational all-round option for United.
£60 million is yet another huge deal for the Red Devils, but one that could see them sign a player who could easily reach the next level over the next few years.
At just 21 years old, he has already proven himself to be a star at the top level and his desire to move to Old Trafford could make a deal a little easier to finalize.
David Ornstein: Manchester United are ‘serious’ about signing Matthaus Fernandes as an £80m upgrade
Matheus Fernandes is not the only player Manchester United want to sign this summer.

